The name of Ataturk Mustafa Kemal is known to many. His political achievements are still praised by his compatriots. He was the founder of the Republic of Turkey and the first president. Someone is proud of the activities of a politician, someone finds disadvantages. And we will try to analyze the life path of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and learn about his achievements.
The beginning of life's journey
In 1881, in the city of the Ottoman Empire Thessaloniki (now Greece), the future leader of the Turks was born. Interestingly, the exact date of birth of the politician is still unknown. This is due to the fact that Mustafa's two brothers died at birth, and the parents, not believing in the future of their third son, did not even remember his birthday.
The history of the Ataturk clan lasted more than one century. The father of the great figure was from the Kojadzhik tribe. My father could not boast of success in military affairs. Despite the fact that he was able to curry favor with the rank of senior officer, he ended his life as a merchant in the market. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mother was an ordinary peasant woman. Although, according to historians, Zubeyde Khanym and her relatives were known in their social stratum thanks to religious teachings.
Training a little dictator
Apparently, therefore, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, whose biography is known to many of his compatriots, went to a religious school. For his mother, this was very important, therefore, despite the obstinacy of character, the future leader endured strict orders and established boundaries of what was permitted.
It is not known how the fate of the boy would have developed later, if not for his transfer to the economic sphere. Then the father returned from service in Europe. He was impressed by the newfangled desire of young people to study finance, and he decided that this approach to the education of his son would be the most appropriate.
Of course, the translation was a great joy for Mustafa. But after some time, Ataturk began to be burdened by the monotonous everyday life at the School of Economists. And he began to spend a lot of time with his father. Naturally, military affairs and what dad did fascinated him. In his free time, he began to study strategy and tactics.
But in 1888 the father of the future Turkish leader died. Then Ataturk Mustafa Kemal decided to continue his studies at a military school. Now the garrison life for the guy was necessary. He went all the way from training to senior officer with inspiration and thoughts about the future. In 1899, after completing his secondary education, he entered the Istanbul Military School.
It was here that he received his middle name "Kemal" from a local math teacher. From Turkish, it meant "impeccable" and "perfect", which, according to teachers, characterized the young leader. He finished school inrank of lieutenant and went to study further at the Military Academy. Upon graduation, he became a staff captain.
World War I influenced by Ataturk
The biography of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is still striking in its brightness and success. The ruler first encountered real victories and defeats in the First World War. He proved to the Entente that his training was not in vain and that the Dardanelles would not be so easily given to enemies. A month later, Ataturk Mustafa Kemal again rebuffed the Entente forces on the Gellipoli peninsula. These achievements allowed the Turk to get even closer to his cherished goal: he received the rank of colonel.
In August 1915, Kemal justified his title - under his command, the Turks won the battle of Anafartalar, Kirechtepe and again Anafartalar. The very next year, Mustafa was again promoted and became a lieutenant general. After many victories, Ataturk returned to Istanbul and after some time left for Germany, to the front line.
Despite his serious illness, Mustafa tried to return to the ranks of his army as soon as possible. Having become commander, he conducted a brilliant defensive operation. At the end of 1918, the army was disbanded, and the future president returned to Istanbul and began working in the Ministry of Defense.
From that moment, many reforms were carried out, thanks to which the salvation of the fatherland became real. Ankara met Ataturk with all honors. The Republic of Turkey did not yet exist, but the first step had already been taken - the head of the government was electedAtaturk Mustafa Kemal.
Turkish-Armenian war with the help of the RSFSR
The war of the Turks with the Armenians took place in three periods. At that time, Ataturk became the true leader of his country. The Bolsheviks helped him both financially and militarily. Moreover, the RSFSR supported the Turks for all two years (from 1920 to 1922). At the beginning of the war, Kemal wrote to Lenin and asked him for military support, after which 6,000 rifles, cartridges, shells and even gold bars arrived at the disposal of the Turks.
In March 1921, an agreement on "friendship and brotherhood" was signed in Moscow. Then gratuitous financial assistance and the supply of weapons were offered. The result of the war was the signing of a peace treaty, which defined the boundaries of the warring countries.
Greco-Turkish war with numerous losses
The exact start date of the war is unknown. Nevertheless, the Turks decided to consider May 15, 1919 as the beginning of the confrontation with the Greeks. Then the Greeks landed in Izmir, and the Turks fired the first shots at the enemy. During the entire period of the battle, many key battles took place, which most often ended in victory for the Turks.
Just after one of them, the Battle of Sakarya, Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk received the title of Gazi and the new honorary title of Marshal from the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
In August 1922, Atatürk decided to make the final offensive, which was supposed to decide the outcome of the war. In fact, this is exactly what happened - from the point of view oftactics. The Greek troops were destroyed, but during the retreat there was not enough fleet for all the soldiers and only a third were able to escape from the ambush. The rest were captured.
However, regardless of tactics, both sides lost this war. Both the Greeks and the Turks carried out brutal actions against the civilian population, and a huge number of people were left homeless.
Achievements of the great ruler
When the name of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is mentioned, the short biography should also contain the achievements of the leader. Naturally, the most impressive reforms took place after his appointment to the presidency. Immediately, in 1923, the country switched to a new form of government - a parliament and a constitution appeared.
The city of Ankara was appointed as the new capital of Turkey. The reforms that followed after that were not based on a “redecoration” of the country, but specifically on a full-fledged internal restructuring. Kemal was sure that for cardinal changes it is necessary to fundamentally turn everything in society, culture and economy.
Faith in "civilization" was the impetus for change. This word was heard in every speech of the president, the global idea was to impose Western European traditions and customs on Turkish society. During his reign, Kemal liquidated not only the sultanate, but also the caliphate. At the same time, many religious schools and colleges were closed.
Magnificent mausoleum in honor of the Turkish President
Anitkabir (or Mausoleum of Ataturk) is the burial place of Mustafa Kemal in Ankara. Incredible and grand structure is popularattraction for tourists. Construction was conceived in 1938 after the death of the Turkish president. The architects tried to create such a cultural monument that for many centuries it marked the majesty of this politician and became a manifestation of the grief of the entire Turkish people.
The construction of the mausoleum began only in 1944, and the building was opened 9 years later. Now the area of the whole complex occupies more than 750 thousand square meters. Inside, there are also many sculptures that remind locals and tourists from all over the world of the greatness of the departed ruler.
Opinion about the ruler
Public opinion about the Turkish president is twofold. Of course, the people still revere him, because it is not for nothing that Ataturk is considered the "father of the Turks." Many politicians also at one time flattered Kemal's rule. Hitler, for example, considered himself the second disciple of Ataturk, Mussolini was considered the first.
Many considered the leader to be a brilliant ruler and, undoubtedly, an impeccable military leader, since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk knew "everything and even more" about the war. Some still believed that his reforms were anti-democratic, and the desire to rebuild the country led to a harsh dictatorship.
